From source to sink: Investigating the linkages between sources of sediment and downstream water quality in Canadian watersheds

从源头到汇：调查加拿大流域沉积物来源与下游水质之间的联系

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-05273
• 负责人: Koiter, Alexander
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Brandon University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=680729
• 关键词: source; sink; Investigating; linkages; between

3000 word limit including spaces******Conservation of soil and water resources are intrinsically linked by the nature of sediment dynamics. Soil erosion can lead to a decline in soil health by redistributing or removing organic and nutrient-rich topsoil. Further, the delivery of sediment to surface waterways can result in a decline in water quality through increased turbidity and nutrient loading. Therefore, good conservation and management of soil and water resources requires a solid understanding of sediment dynamics. However, the often diffuse nature of sediment pollution makes it difficult to obtain reliable information about the dominant sources of sediment and nutrients within a watershed. Further, the processes which affect the transfer of sediment from source to sink are poorly understood and difficult to quantify.***To address these challenges, I will continue with, and expand on, my current research through a combination of field- and watershed-scale projects. The aim of my research program is to investigate the effects watershed processes on the properties of soil and sediment across the landscape which will lead to improved guidelines for watershed management. My program will investigate causes and consequences of variability in physical, geochemical, and biological properties of soil and sediment at different landscape scales in relation to general land-use as well as small and large geomorphic landscape features (beaver dams to escarpments). In addition to having direct consequences on soil and water quality, this variability in properties of soils and sediments can be used as tracers in a technique known as sediment fingerprinting. This management tool is used to identify sources of sediment within a watershed. However, the utility of this technique depends on our understanding of sediment processes. My proposed research program will lead to continued refinement of sediment fingerprinting, thereby providing a more robust tool for soil and water conservation and management.***The proposed research will take place in the Wilson's Creek watershed located along the eastern border of Riding Mountain National park in Western Manitoba. The location of the research will expand the network of monitored watersheds in Manitoba and, more importantly, provide information for an un-managed and non-agricultural watershed. Comparing Wilson's Creek with other watersheds in the region will allow for better understanding of the separate influences of geomorphic features (e.g., Manitoba Escarpment) and agricultural land use practices (e.g., cropping). Further, the proposed research will help inform downstream agricultural producers who have concerns over flooding and excessive sediment production.***The proposed research also has a strong training component and will provide funding for 3 MSc and 5 undergraduate students. This training will develop professionals skilled in conservation-based watershed practices that result in improved water and soil quality.

3000个单词限制，包括空间******土壤和水资源的保存在本质上与沉积物动力学的性质联系在一起。土壤侵蚀会通过重新分布或去除富含有机和养分的表土来导致土壤健康的下降。此外，通过增加浊度和养分负荷，将沉积物传递到地表水道可能会导致水质下降。因此，对土壤和水资源的良好保护和管理需要对沉积物动态有牢固的了解。但是，通常的弥漫性质污染的性质使得很难获得有关分水岭中沉积物和养分主要来源的可靠信息。此外，影响沉积物从来源转移到下沉的过程的理解很少且难以量化。我的研究计划的目的是调查流域过程对整个景观土壤和沉积物特性的影响，这将导致改进的分水岭管理指南。我的计划将研究与一般土地利用以及小型和大的地貌景观特征（海狸大坝到悬崖）相关的不同景观尺度上土壤和沉积物的物理，地球化学和生物学特性变异性的原因和后果。除了对土壤和水质产生直接后果外，土壤和沉积物性质的这种变异性还可以用作一种称为沉积物指纹的技术。该管理工具用于识别流域内的沉积物来源。但是，该技术的实用性取决于我们对沉积物过程的理解。我提出的研究计划将导致沉积物指纹的持续改进，从而为土壤，节水和管理提供更健壮的工具。该研究的位置将扩大曼尼托巴省监控流域的网络，更重要的是，为非管理和非农业流域提供信息。将威尔逊的小溪与该地区的其他流域进行比较，将可以更好地了解地貌特征（例如曼尼托巴省悬崖）和农业土地利用实践（例如种植）的单独影响。此外，拟议的研究将有助于告知下游农业生产商，他们对洪水和过度沉积物的生产感到担忧。该培训将开发熟练的基于保护的分水岭实践的专业人员，从而改善水和土壤质量。